Contents

Get in

By bus

There are connections to most major destinations in Ecuador, including Quito (3 hours), Guayaquil (6 hours) and Banos (1.5 hours).

By train

Riobamba is the terminus for the most famous train route in Ecuador, and that is run almost exclusively as a tourist attraction. It is part of the former Quito-Guayaquil railway that is gradually being restored. The passengers used to ride on the roof of the train from Riobamba to the Nariz del Diablo (Devil's nose). However, this is now prohibited due to recent deaths but is still allowed on special tourist trains. The scenery along the way is amazing; the best views are supposed to be at the right side. Some people have complained of the soot from the engine and so perhaps the best carriage to be on is the one in the middle, as the engine is moved from the front to the rear for the return journey. As the passengers are almost entirely tourists, expect children begging for candies along the track, and correspondingly a candyseller on the train.

The train will make a stop in Guamote and Alausi before heading down the switchbacks to Sibambe. There will be a small break to take some photos before heading back to Alausi and Riobamba. Most people choose to get off at Alausi and take a bus to Cuenca or back to Riobamba. The price is $11 for a ride from Riobamba down the Devil's nose and back to Alausi and $3.50 more to go all the way back to Riobamba.

The train departs Riobamba at 6:30-7:00 a.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Tickets go on sale on the day prior to departure and the ticket office hours are "usually" between 3 and 6 p.m. (Read: This is not 100% reliable). Tickets are quickly sold out, so be there early, preferably when the office opens. A safer way to ensure a ticket is to book through a travel agency in Quito, or book in advance two or three days in advance. If tickets are sold out in Riobamba, it's possible some may still be available in Alausi.

Get around

A bus costs 25 cents. Taxis are plentiful; most trips within town should be $1.

See

On a clear day don't miss the view of the surrounding mountains. The best views in the city are from parque 21 de abril, close to the train station.

Do

Riobamba is the nearest city to Chimborazo_(volcano). Even if you're not a mountain climber, it could still be worth a visit: take a coach to the Whymper Lodge, stretch your legs, and boast that you've been further from the Earth's centre than the summit of Everest.

Tours in Chiva Express Train to Devil's Nose [2]. Metropolitan Touring's Chiva Express is a typical, old-fashioned Latin American bus, with plenty of room on the roof for bags of grain, bananas and the odd chicken. In Quito, these buses have taken on a new lease of life as party vehicles with adapted, high-sided roofs. The Chiva idea had been adapted to the historic train ride from Quito to Guayaquil. Passengers will enjoy an exclusive and unique trip through the Andean countryside and the coastal lowlands visiting the Devil's Nose track on board of Chiva Express.

Night Life is also the best if your a party person. La 10 de Agosto is the teens favorite spot to relax and de-stress from the weeks work. Tht night life starts around sun down and it goes from El Parque Infantil all the way to El Estation del Tren. And if your lucky to be around Las Fiestas del Abril, or Riobamba's indepedance day week, they hold a lot of activities and parades all that week just to celebrate another year of freedom.

Buy

On Saturdays there is a small artesan market. It seems to be mainly aimed at locals rather than tourists, and is certainly more authentic than Otavalo.
Between Pinchincha street and España you can find the best boutiques for people of any age. Or if you like malls, check out El Mall Del Centro locate on Leon Borjaand la circumbalacion by La Plaza de Toros

Eat

Riobamba does not lack for restaurants. If you like pizza, or fried chicken or whatever it is, check out la 10 de agosto (Riobamba's main avenue) for all your tasty needs. Lunch starts at $1.Cake at the Cafeteria Londres on Garcí a Moreno between 10 de Agosto and Primera Constituyente.

El VIP A great restaurant-bar worth a visit located on Pichincha street between 10 de Agosto and Primera Constituyente (open Monday-Saturday 12:00-15:00 & 17:00-24:00). Nice music, some books, free WiFi, and some nights there is Karaoke or live music. This is where the hip and beautiful people of Riobamba hang out. There are several house cocktails - Sex on the Montañas is a must. Also good food ranging between 1.50U$-4.00U$, Chicken in Chapiñones dressing recommended. A very recommended dessert is Creppes de nutella y guineo.

D’Baggio (Miguel A León y 10 de Agosto) Anyone who has spent a reasonable amount of time in Ecuador knows how delicious the pizza is. Even better than the United States. D’Baggios is one of the best places around to get pizza. Being small restaurant, its attempt to look like a quaint Italian eatery may not be spot on, but its endearing. The pizzas are completely homemade in an area in the front of the restaurant. As you sit and wait for you meal you can watch the chef flipping the dough in the air, and whipping pizzas in and out of the wood oven. The delicious pizzas, all made with fresh ingredients, will run you between $2.60 and $5. The restaurant also has a selection of pastas.

Drink

Drinking in Rio. (As the natives call Riobamba) isn't so hard to do. There are many places where you can go and enjoy a good drink. There is the bar "El Tentadero" and for the younger generation, "Las Pipas" Both are located across La Plaza de Toros on la 10 de Agosto.

See El Vip under "Eat".

Sleep

Hotel Metro, Av. León Borja y Lavalle, 03-961-714. Conveniently located next to the train station. Basic rooms have a tiny private bathroom. The shower takes ages to warm up, if at all. Rooms at the front are noisy, especially in weekends. Price: $5 per person.

"Hotel el Zesus" sometimes hosts celebrities and athletes. It located on 10 de agosto after the bus terminal and before el Parque Infantil. Rooms start from $40 a night. Or if you like a humbol place, you can spend the night at "El Hotel El Galpon" located on Carlos Zambrano y Argentina.

Hotel Imperial, Rocafuerte 22-15 (corner of 10 de Agosto), ☎2960 429, [1]. One of the cheapest decent hotels in town. Most rooms are shared bathrooms, balconies and large windows. $5.

Hotel Tren Dorado, Carabobo 22-35 (half a block from the train station), ☎(03) 2964890. Great value for the price. Modern hotel with a variety of different rooms. Most of cable TV. Good hot water. Nice beds. Wi-Fi. On-site veggie-optional restaurant offers early breakfasts for those catching the train.$12/night.